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Major city · United Kingdom

Nottingham

Give Nottingham 2 nights: one for the castle, caves and Lace Market, one for Wollaton or Sherwood Forest. Skip it as a base for the Peak District.

Weather
see forecast
Currency
GBP
Best months
May–Sep
avoid Jan–Feb (cold, wet, short days)
Airports
EMA · BHX
Nights
2
Not field-verifiedbasic guide
Print / PDF guide
3 pages, for the metro and roaming-off days
Map
Google Maps Apple Maps Street View
Rules in force · 8Non-EU visitors get 90 days in any rolling 180-day window…
  • Europe ↗Non-EU visitors get 90 days in any rolling 180-day window, counted across all 29 Schengen states together — not per country; the Entry/Exit System now logs each crossing, so an overstay is detected automatically.
  • Europe ↗On the first Schengen entry since EES began, non-EU travellers give four fingerprints and a face photo at the border instead of a passport stamp; there is nothing to apply for or pay in advance.
  • Britain and Ireland ↗Neither the UK nor Ireland is part of Schengen: days spent here do not count towards the 90/180-day Schengen limit, and a Schengen visa does not admit you to either country.
  • Britain and Ireland ↗The island of Ireland runs on two currencies: euro in the Republic, pound sterling in Northern Ireland and Great Britain. Carry a card that pays in both without fees.
  • Britain and Ireland ↗Both islands drive on the left. Speed limits are in miles per hour in the UK (including Northern Ireland) and in kilometres per hour in the Republic of Ireland.
  • United Kingdom ↗Most visitors who do not need a UK visa now need an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) before travelling; this includes EU nationals. Irish citizens are exempt. Check the UK government site for your passport.
  • United Kingdom ↗The UK is outside the EU and the Schengen area; a Schengen visa is not valid for the UK.
  • United Kingdom ↗Driving is on the left; London has congestion and emissions charges for most vehicles, so do not drive in the city.

Nottingham is a compact East Midlands city, walkable in the centre and cheap to reach by train from London in about 1 h 45 min. The Robin Hood name sells it, but the real draws are the sandstone caves, a small castle museum, two theatres and a pub scene. Two nights covers the city; add a third only for Sherwood Forest or Newstead Abbey.

Essentials

Quick answers and what things cost

Quick answers

The questions people ask first about Nottingham, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.

Cost cheat-sheet

2026 desk estimate · check

Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.

  • Coffee£3–4.50 (≈ US$4–6)
  • Sit-down mealPub main course£12–18 (≈ US$16–25)
  • BeerPint of draught beer£4.50–6 (≈ US$6–8)
  • Metro or bus rideNCT bus singleNo change given.£2.50 (≈ US$4)
  • Museum or sight ticketNottingham Castle entry£15 (≈ US$20)
  • Budget bedHostel dorm bed, a night, per person£22 (≈ US$30)
  • Mid-range bedDouble room, mid hotel, a night, per room£95 (≈ US$130)
  • High-end bedDouble room, mid hotel, a night, per room£180 (≈ US$250)

A day, not counting the bed: Budget £45 (≈ US$60) · Mid £80 (≈ US$110) · High £150 (≈ US$200)

Local prices, with USD next to them (rates 2026-09 (approximate); change it in the header). Ranges are desk estimates: check locally. Every price and the budget calculator →

Decide

What it is known for, and when the weather works

At a glance

What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.

Robin Hood legendSandstone caves under the cityNottingham Castle and the Lace MarketSherwood Forest and the Major Oak
Airports
EMA East Midlands Airport (Skylink Express bus to the city centre, about 35 min, £5 single (check)) · BHX Birmingham Airport (About 40 mi (65 km) away; train via Birmingham New Street)

Weather and climate

Forecast from Open-Meteo · averages rounded

Nottingham: next 7 days

Loading forecast…

Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.

Air quality

Loading…

Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.

Jan

8°C

2°C

11 rd

Feb

8°C

2°C

10 rd

Mar

11°C

3°C

11 rd

Apr

14°C

5°C

10 rd

May

17°C

7°C

10 rd

Jun

20°C

10°C

11 rd

Jul

22°C

12°C

10 rd

Aug

22°C

12°C

10 rd

Sep

19°C

10°C

10 rd

Oct

15°C

8°C

12 rd

Nov

10°C

4°C

12 rd

Dec

8°C

2°C

12 rd

High / low °C · rd = rain days

Arrive & move

Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in

Getting around

The centre is walkable: Old Market Square to the castle is about 10 min on foot. Trams (NET) run from the station to Hucknall, Phoenix Park, Toton Lane and Clifton South; buy before boarding or risk a penalty fare. NCT and trentbarton buses cover the suburbs; most NCT buses give no change.

See & do

Day-trips, door to door

Day-trips

Door-to-door, not ride time

Sherwood Forest and the Major Oak

go

Door to door: 1.5–2 h

Train or bus to Mansfield then local bus, or drive about 40 min

The Major Oak sits in the Birklands, an area of birch, not classic oak woodland.

Newstead Abbey

go

Door to door: About 1 h

Bus or drive about 12 mi (19 km) north

Byron's former home; grounds and gardens are the main draw.

Wollaton Hall and Deer Park

go

Door to door: 30–40 min

NCT buses 35 or 36 from Victoria Centre, or i4 from Broadmarsh

Free park with deer; the hall holds the natural history museum.

Hucknall

go

Door to door: About 35 min

NET tram from the station, about 30 min

Byron's tomb in the church at the end of the high street, minutes from the tram stop.

Eat & sleep

Which area to sleep in

Where to sleep

Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.

Lace Market and Hockley

Bars, restaurants and the caves within walking distance; best for a short break.

Old Market Square and Theatre Square

Central, walkable to everything; chain hotels and the main bus stops.

Nottingham Station area

Cheapest for a rail arrival; 10 min walk to the centre, tram stop overhead.

Practical

What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card

Cost per day

2026 estimate, excluding the bed unless stated
Budget
£45–70 (≈ US$60–95) excl. bed
Mid
£70–120 (≈ US$95–160) excl. bed
High
£120 (≈ US$160)+ excl. bed

Trip budget

2026 estimate · converts to your currency
Double room, mid hotel1 × 2 nights × £95£190
Food, local transport, entries2 × 2 days × £80£320
Skylink Express, EMA to city centre, both ways2 × £10 · check£20
Kangaroo day ticket, all public transport in greater Nottingham2 × £5£9
eSIM, about a week of data2 × £8£16
Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge£56
Trip total≈ £153 per person per day, bed included£611≈ US$850

2026 estimate in pounds; intercity travel excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.

Prices of common things

Coffee£3–4.50 (≈ US$4–6)
Pint of draught beer£4.50–6 (≈ US$6–8)
Pub main course£12–18 (≈ US$16–25)
NCT bus singleNo change given.£2.50 (≈ US$4)
NET tram single / day ticket£3.40 (≈ US$5) / £5.50 (≈ US$8)
Nottingham Castle entry£15 (≈ US$20)
City of Caves / National Justice Museum£11 (≈ US$15) each, £21 (≈ US$30) combined

2026 estimate; check locally.

Watch out

Safety

Nottingham is a normal UK city: the centre is busy and well lit, but keep to main streets late at night and watch your bag in the Lace Market bar strip. The main practical risks are tram penalty fares, no-change buses and rain.
  • Buy a tram or bus ticket before boarding: inspectors issue penalty fares.
  • Most NCT buses do not give change — have the exact fare or pay by card.
  • Nottingham Castle is a stately home with a gatehouse, not a medieval fortress; set expectations.
  • Some cave and museum sites are timed-entry or seasonal: check before you travel.

Emergency numbers

NHS non-urgent
111
Police non-urgent
101

Pocket card

One page · print or save as PDF

Fill in, then print or save as PDF

Stays in this browser only; nothing is sent anywhere.

NottinghamNottingham

Pocket card · Voykit

My bed tonight

—

—

—

To this address, pleaseTo this address, please

Emergency

  • NHS non-urgent111
  • Police non-urgent101

Embassy

No embassies in Nottingham; most are in London. The US has a consulate in Edinburgh and Belfast, not the Midlands.

My embassy: —

Fare anchors (2026 estimate)

  • Skylink Express, EMA → city centre: about £5 (≈ US$7) single, £9.90 (≈ US$14) return, 35 min (check)
  • NET tram, station → city centre short hop: £1.50 (≈ US$2) one way
  • Kangaroo day ticket, all operators: £4.50 (≈ US$6)

Say or show

  • Single to the city centre, please — Single to the city centre, please
  • Does this bus go to Old Market Square? — Does this bus go to Old Market Square?
  • Can I pay by card? — Can I pay by card?
  • Where is the tram stop? — Where is the tram stop?
  • Two tickets, please — Two tickets, please

English is the only language you need.

Deep dive

What this guide covers so far, and its sources

Not a trip line yet

This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Nottingham. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.

What we know, and what is coming

On this page

  1. Best months: May–Sep · avoid Jan–Feb (cold, wet, short days) · month by month →
  2. 2 airports and 3 areas to sleep in
  3. Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
  4. Cost per day in 3 bands
  5. 4 day-trips, door to door
  6. 4 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers

Coming as the guide grows

  1. Airport-to-bed contract for EMA: last Skylink departures field-checked, taxi fallback, overnight rung.
  2. Four walking clusters with rescue anchors: Old Market Square, Lace Market and Hockley, the castle and Brewhouse Yard, the station and Trent Bridge.
  3. Place pages with verified cutoffs (castle, City of Caves, National Justice Museum, Wollaton Hall) and eat pages with last orders.
  4. Sherwood Forest and Newstead Abbey day-trip fixtures so gates A–D can go green.

Meanwhile

Back to United Kingdom

Sources